He said the $490 fine for being caught by one of the cameras is excessive for first-time offenders.

"That's a lot of money for working families," DeMaio said. "Traffic fines should be about public safety, not generating revenue."

The program is up for renewal in January, and the administration of Mayor Jerry Sanders has solicited bids for contractors to keep the program going. It's not clear whether his staff will complete the process and gain approval from the City Council before the next mayor takes office in December.

DeMaio said timing of the renewal process will determine whether he can stop the program.

“It just depends on when he takes office, where it is in the process when he gets in office,” DeMaio campaign spokesman K.B. Forbes said. “If it has not gone through, he will halt it."

Sanders' staff is currently studying bids vendors submitted last month for a possible replacement red light camera contract, according to the city's transportation department, which manages the program.

The Watchdog surveyed candidates in city elections after San Juan Capistrano in Orange County became the latest in a long line of Southern California cities to shut off their red light cameras. Some have expressed concerns about cost and effectiveness of the programs.

In addition to the mayor's race, one City Council seat is in contention. Candidates for City Council District One both replied to the survey.

Incumbent Councilwoman Sherri Lightner, who is being challenged by retired businessman Ray Ellis, said she is supportive of red light cameras in general, but only if they do not cost the city money and have been shown to improve safety.

"If the data indicates the program is successful in reducing serious accidents and it is cost recoverable, I would consider supporting it," Lightner said. "I would like to hear from members of the public as well before making a decision."

An unscientific reader poll last weekend received almost 400 votes, with 84 percent saying the program should be ended.

Ellis did not respond to all of the individual questions asked by The Watchdog. He submitted a statement indicating he was supportive of any reasonable tool that makes the city's streets safer.

Ellis said the council should look at all options for curtailing red light running before deciding what to do with the program, which he said should be focused on safety and not profit.

"As a City Councilmember, I will weigh all the data, recommendations, and studies before deciding what to do with this or any other program that is up for renewal," Ellis said.

The city’s red light camera program has been in place since 1998 with the exception of 2001, when the program was briefly shut down due to court challenges and community opposition.

San Diego Officers issued nearly 20,000 tickets in 2011 based on the red light camera footage. The city made about $200,000 in excess of the program’s costs in fiscal year 2011.